Telescopic tower.



Patented Dec. l2, I899.

H. A. VAN DER CRUYSSEN.

TELESGOPIC TOWER. (Application filed Dec. 20, 1898. Renewed Oct. 27, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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Wiigzsszs Maw Patented Dec. l2, I899.

H. A. VAN DER CRUYSSEN.

v TELESGDPIC TOWER. (Application filed Dec. 20, 1898. Renewed Oct. 27, 1899.) No Model 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

noeqlov Wiigzsses J/ J V116- 4 W (QV /Q/M QJ all r fly U1 3y Anon-gay).

No. 639,l89. Patented Dec. I2, I899.

H. A. VAN DER CRUYSSEN.

TELESCOPIC TOWER.

(Application filed Dec. 20, 1898. Renewed Oct. 27, 1899.) QNo Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

' v IIDQQIDIQP y ig Jzwn/ cZer fingmrerv No 639,189. Patented Dec. 0 1899. H. A. VAN DER CRUYSSEN. TELESGOPICTOWER.

. (Application filed Dec. 20. 1898. Renewed Oct. 27, 1899.) (No Modal.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 UNITED STATES,

HENRI ALFRED VAN DER CRUYSS EN, OF LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA, ASSIGNOR I OF ONE-HALF TO NATHANIEL PETER MOSS, OF SAME PLACE.

TELESCOTPlC TOWER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 639,189, dated December 12, 1899.

Application filed De emlier'20, lS98. Renewed October 27, 1899. Serial No. 734,985. (No model.)

To all whom it nmy concern:

4 Beit -known that I, HENRI ALFRED VAN DER CRUYssEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lafayette, in the parish of Lafay'ette and State of Louisiana, have invented a newand useful Telescopic Tower, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in towers.

to The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of towers and to provide a telescopic one having a series of galleries or stories in its several sections and adapted to be projected upward to elevate the sections for afiording the occupants a view of the surrounding scenery and capable of being readily arranged wit-hits sections in the same horizontal planeat the surface ofv the ground to aiford convenient ingress to and egress from the several sections.

A further object of the invention is to enable the tower to rotate on its vertical axis simultaneously with the raising and lowering of the sections to afiord a continual change of view and to present the scenery more .completely to the observers.

The invention also has for its object to construct the-sections so that their overlappingportions will be hidden from view and will afford communication between the several sections, so that ingress to and egress from all parts'of the tower may be had in any position of the sections in order to avoid confining persons within the structure should any accident 3 5 happen to the operating mechanism and leave the tower projected upward for any length of time.

Another object of 'the invention is to arrange the parts sothat the sections will be firmly supported at any elevation and prev sent a solid structure of greatstability in order that the occupants may be subjected to no danger'what'ever should an accident happen to the operating mechanism when the sections are in an elevated position.

The invention consists in the construction and novei'combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, and pointed 50 out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure l-is-a perspective view of a telescopic tower constructed in accordance with this invention, the sections being elevated. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view'of the same. Fig. 3 is a similar view, the sections being lowered. Fig. 4 is an en larged detail perspective view, partly in section, of the adjacent portions of two of the sections. Fig. 5 is a detail view illustrating the arrangementof the annular series of guidewheels. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of one of the sliding sleeves and a portion of the screw. Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are detail views illustrating the manner of constructing sectional screws. Fig. 10 is an elevation of .the lower portion of the tower, illustrating one means for operating the same. Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional view illustrating one form of bearings for mounting the lower section or body portion of the tower. Fig. 12is a view similar to Fig. 10,'showing another means for operating the tower. Fig. 13 is an elevation illustrating a modification of the tower. Fig. 14 is a detail perspective view of one of the guiding and supporting brackets. Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawlugs.

1 designates a main section or body portion arranged at the base of the tower and being of cylindrical or tubular form to receive sections 2, 3, and4 of similar shape and of gradually-decreasing diameter to enable them to telescope into the bottom or main section, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 30f the accompanying drawings. Each section consists of an annular shell composed of inner and outer concentric walls and a connecting top and maybe constructed .of any suitable material, preferably metal and glass, and each section is divided 'by horizontal floors or partitionsinto upper observation stories or galleries 4 l and a. lower blind story 5, adapted to overlap the adjacent section when the tower is elevated in order to aiford "communication be- 5 tween the sections when the tower is in such position. The upper stories or galleries are provided with windows, as indicated, and havedoors which are adapted to aline when the sections are lowered to the same horizon- 10 tal plane, and suitable Stairways aliord-com munication between the stories or galleries.

The sections are also'provided with suitable inner doors (5, adapted to alinc with the stairs 7 of the lower or blind story 5, so that ingress to and egress from the various sections may be had in any position of the same.

The top section 4 is rigidly secured to the upper endof the vertical screw 8, which engages an intoriorly-threaded female member or tube 9, located at the base of the tower and suitably fixed in the ground, whereby when the tower is rotated, as hereinafter described, the screw which rotates with the same will operate to raise and lower the sections 2, 3, and 4, as will be readily understood. The female member or tube 9 forms a nut, and a suitable well is provided for the reception of the screw when the tower is lowered, such well being preferably formed by a vertical tube or casing 10, adapted to exclude water from the screw and prevent the same from rusting. The screw, which may consist'of a continuous shaft or be constructed of sections of considerable length, can also'be composed of a central shaft or core 11 and short exteriorly-arranged plates 12 of semicylindrical shape, with four turns of the thread. As illustrated in Fig. 9 of the accompanying drawings, the shaft can be constructed of sections provided at their adjacent ends with sockets and connected by a screw-coupling 13, having one end fixed by a transverse fastening device 14; or other suitable means in one of the sockets and adapted to have its other end screwed into the adjacent socket of the other section of the screw.

The lower or main section, which may be supported upon wheels 15, can also be provided with a ball-bearing consisting of inner and outer annular series of balls 16 and 17, arranged in suitable ball-races of a circular track orsupport and in corresponding grooves or ball-races of the bottom of the lower or main section 1 of the tower. lVhen the ballbearing turn-table or support is employed, as illustrated in Fig. 11 of the-accompanying drawings, the circular track is provided with an annular dovetailed groove 19, located at a point between and arranged concentric with the inner and outer ball-races l6 and 17 and receiving a depending guide-flange 20/, which is interlocked with the base or track 18, whereby the tower is held against lateral movement. The dovetailed groove 19 has inwardly-inclined side walls, and the depending flange 20 is provided with an enlarged tapering lower edge, as shown, and it may be continuous or constructed of sections ar-- ranged at intervals.

The tower may be rotated by means of a continuous cable 2'1, arranged in an exterior annular groove 22, of the lower or main section 1, and connected with and operated by a suitable engine, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 10.01 the accompanying drawings. Instead,'however, of employingi't cable positive gearing may be used, as illustrated in Fig. 12, wherein is shown a circular rack 23,

mounted on the exterior of the lower or main section 1 and meshing with a suitable gearwheel 2t, which is operated by a stationary engine and connected in anysuitable manner therewith. Although only two' means are illustrated for rotating the tower to raise and lower the sections, yet it will be readily understood that electric, hydraulic, and various other motive powers may be employed to effect the same result.

The blind section of each of.the sections is provided with and supported bya horizontal frame or spider 25, consisting of a central sliding sleeve or hub 26 and an annular series of radial arms 27, provided at their outer ends with journals and receiving guidewheels 28, arranged in an annular series and adapted to engage vertical guides or ways 29, disposed on the interiors of the sections, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings, and these wheels which retain the section in alinement enable them to move freely and frictionlessly on each other. The ways 21) preferably consist of angle-iron tracks or girders, having grooves or ways formed by their flanges for the recep- I tion of the rims or peripheries of the wheels. The sliding sleeves or hubs are provided on their inner faces withvertieal feathers or ribs 30, preferably triangular in cross-section, as shown, and engaging correspondiugly-shaped ways 31, formed by notches out in the threads of the vertical tube and arranged in alincment. By this'construction the spiders or frames are interlocked with the shaft, and while they are adapted to move vertically thereon they are prevented from rotating independently of the same. The spiders or frames are constructed of metal, and in order to render them as lightas possible the radial arms are tapered, as shown, and provided at their upper and lower edges with flanges, and the webs have openings varying in size, as shown.

The vertically-movable sections are pro vided at the tops of their blind stories with brackets 32, firmly secured to the sections and provided at opposite sides with wheels 33, preferably arranged in pairs and engaging the vertical guides or. ways v39.

adapted to engage projecting portions 34 of the adjacent section, the said projecting portions 3% overhanging the spaces between the sections and being located at the tops of the sections 2 and 3, so that when the tower is operated the screw will elevate the top section 4- its entire length, minus the overlapping portion, and will carry its brackets 32 into engagement with the projecting or overhanging portion 34 of the next section 3,which will be then elevated until its brackets engage the projecting portion of the section 2, when the latter will be raised. In lowering the sections the operation is reversed, all of the sections descending until the section 2 rests upon the ground, when the sections 3 These brackets form projections or supports and are and 4. will continue their descent until the signed to be provided with a suitable orna-- mental cap or head 36, is supported by guyrods, braces, or cables 37, and the top section is provided with a female screw or nut 38, which engages the screw 35 and raises and lowers the sections as the tower is rotated. This construction may be advantageously employed in the smaller class of towers and in toy structures, and a series of revolving telescoping sections and a screw for operating the same are adapted to be used in the construction of bookcases, trunks, and analogous structures. The invention has the following advantages: The telescopic tower, which is especiallydesigned for fairs, expositions, gardens, and other pleasure grounds and resorts, is simple and comparatively inexpensive in construction and is capable of being erected to a great height with perfect safety and of accommoda-ting a large number of persons. The tower rotates as the sections move upward and downwar d and is thereby adapted to afiord an ever-changing pauorama,and communication is preserved between the sections,

so that ingress to and egress from the same may be had in any position of the parts in order to prevent persons from being confined in the tower for any length of time should the actuating mechanism become temporarily inoperative through any form of accident.

Changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

\Vhat is. claimed is- 1. A revolving tower comprising a series of telescoping sections provided with stories or compartments and adapted to be raised and lowered to uncover the compartments and to return the same, and a centrally-arranged vertical screw cooperating with the rotation of the tower and connected with and adapted to raise and lower the sections, substantially as-described.

2. A revolving'tower comprising a series of telescoping sections, provided with stories or compartments arranged to communicate when the sections are lowered, and means for rais 3.' A tower comprising a series of telescopk mg sections adapted to be raised and lowered and provided with galleries or compartments adapted to register when the sections are lowered, and means for raising and lowering the sections, substantially as described. d

4. A tower comprising a series of telescoping sections adapted to be raised and lowered, said sections being provided with galleries-or compartments arranged to com mu nicate when the sections are lowered and extending from the top to the bottom of the tower when the sections are raised,substantially as described.

5. A tower comprising a series of telesc0p ing circular sections having galleries orcompartments, a turn-table or hearing supporting the bottom section, a vertical screw fixed to the top section and rotating therewith, a female member arranged at the base of the tower and engaged by the screw, and means for rotating the entire tower whereby the sections will be raised and lowered, substantially as described.

6.-- A rotary tower comprising a series of telecompartments provided with exit-openings,

said sections having vertical series of doors or openings arranged at their inner walls and disposed in alinement with the openings of the overlapping stories or compartments, and

means for raising and lowering the sections, substantially as described.

8. A tower comprisinga series of telescoping sections mounted for rotation, a rotary screw connected with the top section and provided with vertical ways, and horizontal I frames or spiders connected with the sections and provided with sliding sleeves or hubs arranged on the screw and interlocked with the ways thereof, substantially as described.

9. A rotary tower comprisinga series of telescoping sections, a rotary screw providedwith vertical ways consisting of alined notches formed in the threads, and horizontal frames secured to the sections and provided with hubs or sleeves having ribs interlocked with the said notches, substantially as described.

10. A rotary tower comprising'a series of telescoping sections provided at their inner faces with vertical ways, a rotary screw rigid with the top scction, and a series of spiders or frames 'slidingly mounted on and interlocked with the screw and provided with annular series of antifriction-wheels arranged in said 'ways,"substantially as described.

11. A-tower comprising a series of telscoping sections provided at their inner faces with vertical ways, a centrally-arranged vertical spokes extending radially from the hub, and

of the sections and disposed vertically, andbrackets mounted at the bottoms of the sections, provided with wheels to fit the said ways and adapted to interlock with the projections 34, substantially as described.

13. In a device of, the class described, the

combination of a rotary tower provided with a depending dovetailed flange and having grooves or races at opposite sides thereof, a circular base having a dovetailed groove to interlock with the said flange and provided with balls-aces at opposite sides of the grooves, and balls arranged in the said races, substantially as described.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination with a rotary tower, and a base having ball-races,'one of the parts being also provided with a dovetailed groove, of a dovetailed flange carried by the other part and interlocked with the groove, and balls arranged in said ball-races, substantially as described.

15. A rotary tower composed of a series of telescoping sections having compartments or galleries, and means for raising and lowering the sections as the tower is rotated, substantially as described.

,16. A device of the class described comprising a rotary tower consisting of telescoping sections, and a screw connectedwith the sections and adapted to raise and lower the'same as the entire tower is rotated, substantially as described.

17. A device of the class described comprising a rotary tower-like structure having telescoping sections or members, and means for automatically raising and lowering the sectionsor members when the device is rotated, substantially as described.

I 18. Adevice of the class described comprising a tower-like structure having telescoping sections or members and provided with platforms or supporting-surfaces carried by the sections or members and arranged at different elevations when the said sections or members are extended, and a screw mechanism for .raising or lowering the sections or members, substantially as described.

19. A device of the class described comprising a rotary tower-like structure having telescoping sections or members, and a screw mechanism for automa'ticallyraising and lowering the sections or members when the deviceis rotated, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

- HENRI ALFRED VAN DER CRUYSSEN.

\Vitnesses:

R. B. MARTIN, F. K. HOPKINS. 

